Energy Matters Forums

[kel0690]

Hi to all out there,
As you see I am new to all this, I would really appreciate it if i could get straight forward, not to compicated replys as to much tech talk will go over my head, sorry in advance for my ignorance, but hey if you don't ask you don't know.
Ok the question is, I want to get a 12 panel 2kws pv grid connection solar panel system installed and fitted on my roof, i got a salesman from my local area to come out, and he quoted me $8990 fully installed no more to pay, no hidden fees thats it. That price is after the rebate.
The brand of panels he uses is Sungen, and the inverter is Aurora, i don't know what the wattage is for either units, but i was just wondering is this a good price. Like all salesman tell you that their giving you this great price, but if you have no idea as to how much the units cost and what kind of quality they are, then you don't know if your getting a good deal or not.
Before i go ahead with the deal i want to know if this sound good and if the brand of products he is using are of good quality and reputation.
All feedback would be greatly appreicated, as before today i had no idea about how all this stuff worked.
I am a single mum, and will be paying for this system with cash from years of hardwork and savings, so i really want to make sure Im buying a good system that will last, and not cost me any headaches.

[Inspector]

I haven't heard of Sungen panels, but that doesn't mean they're not on the Clean Energy Council approval list. Aurora inverters are still relatively scarce (at least in south Sydney - I think I've seen only one in the hundreds I've inspected).

You have stated you are concerned about good quality and reputation, but there are many other factors to consider.

Panels and inverters vary greatly in price and reputation. Obviously the longer they've been around, the more well-known they become (either good or bad, although I'd expect the bad ones to disappear from the market fairly quickly!). To find out if you've got a good quote, you'd need to get at least one other quote using the same main components, as comparing say an Orion inverter to a Fronius isn't comparing apples with apples. Same goes for the cheapest panel you can find and comparing it to say a SunPower panel.

Solar in Australia hasn't been established long enough to really say what works and what doesn't, as it's only been gaining popularity in the last couple of years (obviously due to the rebates). It will only be a matter of time before we learn which brands really do stand up to their claims, but in saying that, the major components need to comply with minimum requirements, so there's little chance of you getting something extremely nasty.

Another factor considerably affecting quotes is the style of roof (and whether you need angled brackets), how many storeys the house is, whether there is room on the switchboard to fit the metering, and even what state you are in (some companies operating from one state may have a $500 extra charge to install a system in another state).


Have a read of some of the other threads on this forum as it's a wealth of information!

[relaxedcamper]

Hi and welcome.
Just some quick questions.
What state do you live in?
Do you have Gas or electric Hot water?.
Have you made energy conserving measures in your home as yet.
Do you know you average daily kw use, as seen on your elect bill.

The different states have different feed in tariffs for unused electricity,

Quite often with rebates, and especially if you currently have an electric Hot Water system and no access to pipe line gas, replacing your hot water service is the best place to start and get it replaced for a solar assised system. Here you will make big savings in your electricity KW consumption with only a small financial out lay.

It doesn't pay as a first place to start to install an expensive solar HWS or PV system until you have tried to reduce your overall household consumption by doing simply and cheap things. Look at this site for tips on energy conversation around the home.

By knowing what you household consumes on a daily basis, you can compare your home to others and see how efficient it is and perhaps look at where you can can start saving on your bills. One of the simplest places that alot of people over look are household electricial items left on 'standby' . Even on standy, ie turned off at the remote but turned on at the wall, these items draw electricity, and their combined effects on the daily household consumption can be suprising!!!.

Good Luck and WELCOME.

[rg767]

First question: what rebate?

SHCP $8000, or solar credits?

[relaxedcamper]

Hi, I know that your question was directly about installing PV but I just wanted to point out that perhaps you may not have considered more inexpensive options of energy conversation first that perhaps would give to more 'bang for your buck'.

I thought that there were further incentives if you installed solar hot water. See the link below.

http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewab ... ebates.php

I have included the link not because I have a vested interest in this company, but more that it is simply explained and we must support the hosts of this great site!!.

[kalindriel]

Hello,

I havent heard of those panels either.

I think the best thing to do is to get a few more quotes. Its difficult for us to give you advice because we havent seen your place, and dont know what things the quotes include.

Another thing is the quality of the installation. When my installer put my 9 panel 1.85KW system up they took the best part of 3 days to do it. My father in law has just had a 1kw 6 panel system installed (which he paid only the RECS and the Shcp rebate for) and they installed it in 3 hours. So clearly, brands aside, the time spent installing will make a difference to the price.

But in the end, it needs to be about value, not price. Its no good getting a discount price and a shoddy system, or a state of the art system that you cant afford. When you get your other quotes, get them to give you an idea of what it would cost with more expensive panels, and what a more expensive panel would be, so you can get an idea of where the ones you are looking at will fit in.

[rg767]

What were they doing for 3 days?

Sounds almost inconceivable. A good 4-5 man team with edge protection on a clear run (tin roof etc) can do 5kW in 5 hours, so I am surprised that any residential system could take longer than a day. Did they charge you for that labour?

[Inspector]

I've come across a team of 2 installers with no fall protection who said they knock over a 1kw system in 2 hours.

[rg767]

That wouldn't be unusual - I have a team that can do a kW with fall protection in about that time also.

Its funny to watch them because I always think they are going so slowly, but they aren't of course. I have also seen a 1kW system done in 53 minutes on a tin roof. But having said that, prior prep helps.

I guess thats what makes me wonder about 3 days.

[Joey]

My original 2.8KW ( 14x 200w ) and 2.5Kw Inverter was installed in one day by myself and a licensed installer on a tile roof , The installer quoted it would take 2 1/2 days!
I think if I left him to do it himself it would have taken 2 weeks ! the guy had no idea how to organize things or work hard but he learn't a lot a that day